Having two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled for your account helps prevent hackers from accessing your information. It also adds an extra layer of security if you ever need to sign in from a new device.
Google Authentator PC is an app that you can use on your computer to provide 2FA. The app can sync with your smartphone and display the time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs) for both devices. This syncing feature is convenient and offers peace of mind in the event that you lose or break your smartphone.
To set up Google Authenticator on your PC, first open the app on your smartphone and select “Transfer accounts” or “Export accounts” (the wording may vary depending on your version of the Google Authenticator). You can then choose to transfer via QR code or manually enter the codes. Once the accounts are transferred, you can use Google Authenticator on your PC without a smartphone.
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Once you’ve configured the app, log in to a website or service that supports Google Authenticator. Enter your username and password and, when prompted, provide the TOTP generated by the app. The codes are valid for 30 seconds, so a hacker would have to move quickly to capture them before they expire.
There are a few apps that offer Google Authenticator support for Windows, including WinAuth and Authy. WinAuth is free and is available on the Microsoft Store, while Authy is only available as an in-app purchase. Both apps are lightweight and work well, but I prefer WinAuth because it prioritizes privacy by not allowing you to export your tokens.
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